posted 11-24-2002 18:27         

The following was the original postings:
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We are staying in a three bedroom unit at the Villas at Fairways in the Poconos. Kathy wrote a long review about this resort a few years back. After searching for sometime for one of these units, I was finally able to get this large unit trading one of my one bedroom SA weeks. The unit is the largest we've stayed in. It sleeps 10 comfortably. The master bedroom is simply fantastic. Even though the unit is beginning to show age, it's still the best in the Poconos. (JMHO)

I'll send in an updated review as soon as we get back.

Happy and safe travels to all.

------------------
Hajjah

posted 11-30-2002 19:15         

We even had a mid-week (Tuesday) cleaning that was included in our stay. The linen was changed on all beds and the bathrooms were cleaned and fresh towels were hung. That's hard to come by these days. We didn't get a chance to use most of the amenities, but the children enjoyed the Fairways pool. We also visited one of the game rooms at Tree Tops.

BTW, I noticed that two of the units on each side of us were empty the entire week. One of the staff members at my school tried to get a vacation escape there, but nothing was available. Go figure. She will not believe this when I see her on Monday.

posted 12-01-2002 13:43         

The added pleasure of the sauna, jacuzzi and fireplace in the master bedroom is a show piece by itself. The entire layout is one of the best I've seen in timesharing. I can hardly wait for another stay. We do have Shawnee Ridgetop coming up in February, but we'll just have to make due with a smaller, less attractive unit. Sometimes, we get a little spoiled.
Thanks so much again.

posted 12-02-2002 07:09            

quote:

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Originally posted by Phil Anderson:
Are those the units near the Depuis units? That have lots of glass and are fairly close to the river? Sure looked nice from the outside. I was in a Depuis 2B that was badly in need of renovation last summer.

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Hi Phil!

I believe they're talking about the Villas at Fairway in Bushkill, at the Fernwood/Treetops resort complex.

DePuy Village is at Shawnee. We also have a timeshare village here at Shawnee known as Fairway Village, but I believe the listing in RCI/II is Shawnee Village in order to distinguish between our property and the Fairway Villas at Fernwood.
There is only 1 unit in Fairway Village here at Shawnee that could be considered a 3 bedroom unit, and I don't believe it trades as a 3 bedroom.

I'd love to try to fix the problems you had with the DePuy unit last summer. We don't have a unit 2B, but if you have any other information, like your check in date, etc. - I'd love to know what unit you were in so I can see if it's been refurbished or if I should send an inspection team over to look at it. Post the info here or email me at fuzzy_travelbunny@yahoo.com if you're interested in helping me out.

posted 12-02-2002 13:04            

Phil, the Fairway style units are designated by a letter after them, either A, B, C, D, E, or F. The "F" units are one bedroom. The nicest and roomiest are the C and D units. Do NOT confuse a "D" in front of the unit with these. A "D" in front just stands for "Depuy". RCI can tell you the unit number before you check in. The saltbox style, the kind you had, start in the 90s. Theresa should be able to tell you exactly. Lower numbers are the ones you are talking about.

posted 12-04-2002 19:59            

And there was a time when I knew the spelling was Depuy and not Depuis, but I've forgotten how to tell time and thus cannot tell you when that might have been.

Anyhow, it was the "salt box" type and I wrote quite a bit about it in June. It looked to me like a unit that, while badly worn, still would not have looked like much even after a complete makeover. The Fairways units that were a short walk away looked much, much nicer.

posted 12-05-2002 06:54            

quote:

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Originally posted by Phil Anderson:

Anyhow, it was the "salt box" type and I wrote quite a bit about it in June. It looked to me like a unit that, while badly worn, still would not have looked like much even after a complete makeover. The Fairways units that were a short walk away looked much, much nicer.

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I thought that too 4 years ago. The transformation is unbelieveable. I used to avoid putting people in these units at any cost - but now they've become of my favorite areas. The refurb has made them brighter, seem bigger, and definitely arranged things better. They're also all getting jacuzzi's with refurb since last year, so if that unit wasn't refurbed yet, it will actually wind up being better than some that have been refurbished!

The photos don't do the transformation justice, but you can go look at the refurbishment if you want - http://www.shawneeowners.com/shawneetrade/vtour/vtour.html

Theresa R

posted 12-05-2002 18:44            

Also, while 2.5 baths were a nice idea, they were all too small. The one under the stairs was like a closet, and the shower stalls upstairs were so small that both my wife and I constantly bumped the stall door open by accident when we bent over or even moved.

And, now that I think about it, the unit had a small jacuzzi between the two bedrooms as well, so I'd guess it was a refurbished unit.

Everything was just too cramped. The BR was so small that there was no room for a nightstand on either side of the bed. The DR was of a good size, but the table was so huge that you could barely get by someone sitting in a chair. The fireplace was likely just a matter of taste, but it did not suit mine.

As best I can recall, everything worked in the unit, and the grounds were certainly lovely, but I surely did get jealous whenever I walked down by the Fairway Villas! All that glass!

posted 12-06-2002 06:12            

The "hot tub" in your DePuy (which I'm now sure WASN'T refurbished) is actually a japanese soaking tub - a deep red tub with no jets. The new bathroom in the master is larger and has its own jacuzzi tub.

posted 12-11-2002 09:12            

I have a thread going "Poconos" but maybe this one is more appropriate so I will ask here.

I have never been to Shawnee. I have visted the TUG reviews but am still confused about the different units. It appears that there are many sections in Shawnee.

Depuy keeps being mentioned and there seems to be different styles within Depuy. Some of the units with porches look nice. Are they all the same in Depuy? Are these the salt boxes?

I think I read that there are Fairway Villas in Depuy?

What sections are newest in Shawnee?

What ones have been refurbished most recently?

Pictures of Shawnee Village 1,2,3 facades look inviting. Please tell me more.

In my Poconos thread I was told that Northslope and Ridgetop are closest to Shawnee Mtn and Camelback. How close are the other units to skiing sites (especially beginners)

Are these all fixed weeks in Shawnee?

Where can I find good rental/resale info other than TUG?

thanks...george

posted 12-12-2002 07:50            

Let me try to address your questions one at a time, and hope I don't bore anyone else on the board!

quote:

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Originally posted by ghenryl:
Greetings,

I have never been to Shawnee. I have visted the TUG reviews but am still confused about the different units. It appears that there are many sections in Shawnee.

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"Shawnee" is actually made up of 5 separate timeshare village - Fairway (Shawnee Village in RCI Book), DePuy, River Village 1, River Village 2, and Ridge Top, and 1 Quarter Share village - Northslope 2, (which also trades through RCI and II).

quote:

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Depuy keeps being mentioned and there seems to be different styles within Depuy. Some of the units with porches look nice. Are they all the same in Depuy? Are these the salt boxes? I think I read that there are Fairway Villas in Depuy?

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There are Fairway style villas in DePuy village, which only means that they were built in the same style as the villas in Shawnee's Fairway Village. Both the Salt Boxes and Fairway Style villas have porches. The saltbox styles look like a child's drawing of a house - picture a rectangle with a triangle on top. The porch extends the length of the house in the back. The fairway style units have a more circular appearance.

quote:

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What sections are newest in Shawnee?

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Ridge Top Summit is by far the newest - they are still being built. The oldest Summit unit is about 18 months old. Other Ridge Top units average about 15 years old. Northslope Units are about 13 years old. River Village 2 is slightly older than Ridge Top. River Village 1 and Depuy Village average around 20-25 years old, and in Fairway, some of the villas are 30 years old.

quote:

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What ones have been refurbished most recently?

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With the exception of Northslope, all Shawnee villages are in the midst of refurbishing. You can contact the resort directly for questions on specific units.

quote:

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Pictures of Shawnee Village 1,2,3 facades look inviting. Please tell me more.

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I'm not sure what you mean by Shawnee Village 1,2,3. Is that a designation in the RCI book?

quote:

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In my Poconos thread I was told that Northslope and Ridgetop are closest to Shawnee Mtn and Camelback. How close are the other units to skiing sites (especially beginners)

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Northslope is the closest to Shawnee Mountain - you could actually walk in nice weather. Ridgetop is no closer to Shawnee Mountain than the other 4 villages - about 2.5 miles from the ski facilities. Camelback is about 20 miles away from Shawnee, with Northslope being an additional 2.5 miles further away. Guests of any Shawnee village get a 33% discount on lift tickets at Shawnee Mountain, and I believe they have a very good beginner program. I'm not familiar with Camelback's programs.

quote:

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Are these all fixed weeks in Shawnee?

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The vast majority are. There are about 25 units in Ridge Top which were sold as 2 week Flex/Floats - where an owner can reserve 2 weeks per year based on availability. Northslope 2 is a quarter-share, which means 4 families own 1 unit for 13 weeks per year on a rotating schedule (2 weeks here, 1 week there, etc.). I believe that rotation is fixed.

I hope that answers all of your questions! If not, feel free to email me for more details.

Theresa R

[This message has been edited by TheresaR (edited 12-12-2002).]

posted 12-12-2002 10:23            

quote:

---

Originally posted by ghenryl:
I have never been to Shawnee. I have visted the TUG reviews but am still confused about the different units. It appears that there are many sections in Shawnee.

Depuy keeps being mentioned and there seems to be different styles within Depuy. Some of the units with porches look nice. Are they all the same in Depuy? Are these the salt boxes?

I think I read that there are Fairway Villas in Depuy?

Pictures of Shawnee Village 1,2,3 facades look inviting. Please tell me more.

thanks...george

---

George,
I own both a Depuy saltbox and a Fairway Village unit at Shawnee. I can send you pictures if you want.

posted 12-12-2002 18:18            

RCI #001 Shawnee Village Phase I, II, III.

From your post I assume they meant Fairway Village?

And I certainly was not bored by your reply. It is good succinct info.

Kathy,

Please do send those pictures if it is not a bother.

I also sent an e-mail to Carol. I have not had to ask her anything as you all are doing a great job of providing the answers to my questions. She did offer to send a list of properties.

thanks...george

[This message has been edited by ghenryl (edited 12-12-2002).]

posted 12-12-2002 19:21            

Aside from being the "Inn", how does the Shawnee Inn fit here? Although it appears to be taken out of the II book, the newest edition continues to list it without information (at the end listings). However, some II pictures show the Inns indoor pool. Are the rooms at the Inn like a studio?

What about the ice rink and playhouse? If I bought any unit, is ownership of the ammenities part of the deeded property? Is there a Master condominium association, as well as a HOA for each 'village'? (Can any 'village' possibly lose their rights to an annemity (like Martys units lost use of pool in a T/S in Ocean City)

Do all the 'villages' have the same rights to use the same ammenities? Are ammenities different from owners to traders? (ie- the Marriott Manor Club offers free golf to Marriott owners, (even traders who own at a different Marriott)but non owner traders can not take advantage of this 'benefit'.

Is there a trading benefit for owners at Shawnee in the Poconos to trade to the Shawnee properties in Florida or
reverse?

posted 12-12-2002 20:20            

Im glad you asked those questions. I don't know if you picked up on Theresa's reply on the "Poconos" thread about North Slope. I have been concentrating on getting unit types clarified and forgot to follow up.

BTW: I didnt know Shawnee had other resorts. Where are they?

posted 12-13-2002 11:34            

Currently, there seems to be a change in the companies ideas. They seem more in line with making all the villages and buildings top notch. We checked the Shawnee Inn (& other 'villages' in the late summer of 2001. The Inn is old, but has great structure in place (I believe it shares the 100% concrete & steel trend developed by Edison (Yes, similiar to the Edison Hotel (next to the Marriott Grand Marquis) in NYC. They has a very hard time attempting to distroy the same type hotel in AC, when a new casino was going to replace it (maybe the Tremount?)

Additionally, the Delaware River has not always been friendly to the Shawnee, but it was always able to dry out with minimium (if and) structural damage. They have done refurbishing, and it has help the units and Inn quite a bit.

II has listed one village as a 5 star (I think the newest). I don't know if RCI has given any GC or RID to any unit sets.

Here is some other resorts that continue to use the name Shawnee;
http://www.timeshare-users-group.com/tugdb/flgulf/fl-shawn.htm
http://www.shawneeresortsflorida.com/IslandGulf.htm
http://www.timeshare-users-group.com/tugdb/flgulf/fl-sandp.htm

I hope Theresa is able to answer some questions.

posted 12-16-2002 13:19            

Ok, all kidding aside, let me try to sort through all of this.

Ken K

The Shawnee Inn used to have 'right to use' timeshare, it no longer does, which is why it is no longer in the book. All owners of Shawnee Timeshare (in the 5 villages we've discussed and I believe Nortslope as well, although I won't swear to the Northslope part) have an easement in their deeds to use the facilities at the Shawnee Inn, like the indoor pool for example. I honestly haven't been in the rooms in the inn for going on 20 years, so I can't say exactly what they look like, but I believe they have some photos on their web site at www.shawneeinn.com. No more timeshare, there though. Also, the developer who builds and sells here at Shawnee (Shawnee Development) does not own the inn. It is owned and managed privately.

The ice rink and playhouse are also both owned and managed privately, although both give discounts to our timeshare owners and guests (and, employees get to go to the plays free ) FYI, Shawnee Mountain is also owned and operated separately, but again, our owners and guests get discounts there as well.

There is a "Master association" as you call it, with representatives from each HOA board, called Shawnee Commons, which governs all the common areas including the Recreation Center and outdoor pools. As far as losing rights, I suppose anything is 'possible', but I wouldn't want to say it is or isn't possible. I'm not familiar with the legality of such a thing. Considering all assocations have equal representationon the Commons board, I don't think it likely it would happen.

All 5 traditional timeshare villages have rights to use all Commons property (the Recreation Center and RT and RV2 outdoor pools and play areas). DePuy has a playground and pavillion just for it's owners/guests. Northslope owners and guests can not use the Recreation Center but have a recreation area called Sun Mountain which has an outdoor pool, playground, tennis etc. NO indoor facilities. Amenities in all villages are exactly the same for owners and exchange guests, including the exclusion of Nortslope from the Recreation Center. The only exception would be that first year owners only get free golf and skiing (developer purchases only).

There is no trading benefit between Shawnee proper and the NC/FL resorts we own/maintain.

george

Shawnee has 3 other resorts. We manage both Sand Pebble and Island Gulf in Florida, and we own the hotel portion of the Yachtsman in NC. To be honest, I am unclear about the extent of our relationship to the Yachtsman timeshare.

Ken K (2nd post)

The three resorts you listed are inded our other resorts - not just using the name.

Please don't suggest we start a trading affiliation; I have enogh to do .

Ok, did I cover everything yet?

[This message has been edited by TheresaR (edited 12-16-2002).]

posted 12-16-2002 17:35            

quote:

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Originally posted by KenK:
Theresa:

(Can any 'village' possibly lose their rights to an annemity (like Martys units lost use of pool in a T/S in Ocean City)

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Marty's timeshare in Ocean City does not have its own pool. It was using the indoor pool of the timeshare next door, a totally unrelated resort.

posted 12-17-2002 08:35            

I had an idea- now squashed-,,,since Lawrence Welk has some his name blazioned on some resorts in California...can't see why Shawnee can't have Freds name added (if anyone young ones remembers him). (I know Theresa & Kathy don't)

posted 12-17-2002 08:50            

quote:

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Originally posted by KenK:
can't see why Shawnee can't have Freds name added (if anyone young ones remembers him). (I know Theresa & Kathy don't)

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LOL! FYI, you happen to be speaking to the 1987 recipient of the Fred Waring Choral Award, and his grandson's wife happens to be my hairdresser! Just because I'm not 'old' doesn't mean I don't have culture